How good are you at taking control of any situation?
I’m asking this because, as an entrepreneur, you are the captain of your ship. Which means having to step up to any challenge that comes your way. And that requires resolve and effective decision making.
Why You Have To Stop Being Passive To Succeed.
Assertiveness is all about standing up for yourself and being honest about what you think. It has nothing to do with trampling on other people or even your competitors, and in fact, it means quite the opposite.
Psychologists define assertiveness as being able to express yourself effectively and stand up for your point of view while respecting the rights and beliefs of others. The basis of intensity is mutual respect and honesty, which are two things that have a solid place in a business negotiation.
Studies have shown that being assertive can lead to many benefits, from increased self-confidence to better relationships and improved mental and physical health.
What It Means To Be Assertive.
Being assertive can impact your mindset as a business owner.
Assertive communicators are straightforward and know how to set and maintain healthy boundaries. Their relationships value and promote trust.
If you’re serious about living an authentic life and succeeding in reaching your goals, learning to be assertive is crucial.
Think about how you feel about your business.
Are you satisfied with your professional situation?
Are you conflict-avoidant?
Do you worry about what other people think of you?
You can change your mindset and lead your business to greener pastures with practice and commitment. All it takes is knowing where to start on the road to being assertive.
Tips To Help You Become More Assertive
Decide what your priorities are and stick to them.
Work out your boundaries.
Develop a positive open posture and look people in the eye when you speak to them.
Use positive ‘I’ statements about how you’re feeling. Be especially wary of feeling tempted to say, ‘you always’ or ‘you never.’
Get comfortable with saying ‘no’ to things you don’t want to or can’t do. Keep it
non-emotive and straightforward, and don’t feel you need to add an excuse or explanation.
Only use ‘sorry’ when it’s appropriate for the situation. Do not say “I am sorry” if it’s not suitable if you personally did not do anything damaging. And you certainly don’t need to apologize for saying no.
Offer alternative suggestions to proposals you don’t like.
Look for compromises.
Be honest and direct about your feelings, thoughts, and intentions.
Consider writing a script for a situation that feels awkward. Rehearse being confident.
Try to focus on the impact of the situation and find a way to find a mutually satisfying solution.
Above all, being assertive means staying in your power, accepting that you have control over how you approach the situation and your feelings about it.
Assertiveness lets you feel in control and deal much better with situations that would have previously been stressful.
At Business Untangled, we know this because we are serious about helping small businesses maximize their income. Give us a call today and see where assertiveness can get you.
